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This Week in Startups

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Feb 2, 2023 • 55min

ANGEL: FirstMark’s Rick Heitzmann on shaking off the bull run, “shock absorbers,” and more | E1670

Jason is joined by FirstMark Capital’s Rick Heitzmann, who started his investment career in 1999. They discuss “sobering up” after the 14-year bull run (1:55), Airbnb’s response to the downturn (7:38), how senior leaders must act as shock absorbers for their founders (26:30), and more! (0:00) Jason kicks off the show (1:55) Rick’s experience of the “Speculative Asset Bubble” (7:38) Airbnb’s reaction to the downturn (11:33) LinkedIn Jobs - Go to https://linkedIn.com/angel and post your first job for free (12:58) Rick’s memory of the Dot Com bubble (19:39) Advice for founders in a downturn (22:27) Embroker - Use code TWIST to get an extra 10% off insurance at https://Embroker.com/twist (23:29) How CAC and LTV have changed (26:30) The emotional state of Founders and keeping them focused (35:09) Term sheets in the Dot Com era and today (40:06) Letterhead - get 50% off their first year at tryletterhead.com/twist (41:21) Different forms of exits + Key attributes in founders FOLLOW Rick: https://twitter.com/rick FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood
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Feb 1, 2023 • 1h 26min

Instagram co-founders team up for new startup + Magic Spoon’s Gabi Lewis | E1669

Jason and Molly kick off the show with a quick third-rail story about Area 51. (1:56) They then cover Instagram co-founders Mike Krieger and Kevin Systrom’s new startup, Artifact. (10:44) Finally, Gabi Lewis of Magic Spoon joins Molly for an awesome interview about their latest raise, launching in big box stores and more. (41:56) (0:00) Molly Kicks off the show (1:56) Conspiracy Theories with Molly and Jason (9:37) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at https://vanta.com/twist (10:44) Mike Krieger and Kevin Systrom’s new venture: Artifact (20:16) Embroker - Use code TWIST to get an extra 10% off insurance at https://Embroker.com/twist (21:19) Monetizing news aggregators + content moderation (40:42) Letterhead - get 50% off their first year at tryletterhead.com/twist (41:56) Gabi Lewis of Magic Spoon joins Molly (1:13:51) Jay Trades, immigration and TikTok ideas FOLLOW Gabi: https://www.instagram.com/gababoutgabi FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood
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Jan 30, 2023 • 1h 7min

Anthropic seeking $5B valuation, OpenAI hires 1000 contractors, Mr. Beast’s latest video | E1668

Jason and Molly kick off the week with a generative ai update! (5:00) Then, they cover Mr. Beast’s latest video and “stunt culture” (35:21), some more third-rail topics (49:40), and Billy McFarland being back in the news! (59:50) (0:00) M+J kick off the show (2:10) Apply to Founder University 2-Day Workshop at https://intensive.founder.university/ (5:00) Anthropic raises at a $5B valuation (9:31) LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://linkedin.com/twist (11:01) More on Anthropic (18:01) Notion - Sign up for FREE at https://notion.com/jason (19:21) Semafor reports OpenAI has contracted 1000 developers (27:06) Baidu is developing their own AI Chatbot (33:53) CAST AI - get a FREE cloud cost audit AND a personal consultation at cast.ai/twist (35:21) MrBeast’s latest video + Stunt culture (49:40) Third-rail topics (59:50) Billy McFarland is back in the news FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood
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Jan 27, 2023 • 1h 3min

MSG's facial recognition software, BuzzFeed's deal with Meta, The Creator Economy and more | E1667

Please take our 90-second audience survey for a chance to win a $50 amazon gift card at www.thisweekinstartups.com/survey Molly and Jason chop it up about New York Attorney General Letitia James probing into MSG's alleged use of facial recognition to identify and target specific patrons (1:46). This segues into a great discussion about Meta's $10M deal with BuzzFeed and The Creator Economy as a whole (21:41). We cap off the week with two great interviews, one with LA26 graduate Nevsah Karamehmet of Breath Hub (36:17) and another with Brett Bauman, the creator of PlaylistAI (48:09). (0:00) M+J kick off the show (1:46) WLITF WTF: Facial recognition software at MSG (8:33) Lemon.io - Get 15% off your first 4 weeks of developer time at https://Lemon.io/twist (10:03) More on the NYAG case regarding MSG's facial recognition software (20:11) Linode - Apply to Linode's Rise program for up to six figures in discounts at https://linode.com/twist (21:41) BuzzFeed's lucrative deal with Meta + Revenue share with creators (35:07) Crowdbotics - Get a free scoping session for your next big app idea at crowdbotics.com/twist (36:17) LA26 Founder: Nevsah Karamehmet of Breath Hub (48:09) Ok Boomer with Brett Bauman FOLLOW Nevsah: https://twitter.com/nevsahf FOLLOW Brett: https://twitter.com/brettunhandled FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood
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Jan 27, 2023 • 58min

Macro picture, Bitcoin’s bull/bear case, DCG controversy & more | E1666

Please take our 90-second audience survey for a chance to win a $50 amazon gift card at www.thisweekinstartups.com/survey Vinny and Sunny are back for our first crypto-roundtable of 2023. Vinny breaks down the macroeconomic variables affecting Bitcoin’s price (1:39), plus they all predict whether Bitcoin will hit $30K or $16 first (11:43) (This is not financial advice). They delve into the ongoing controversy involving DCG, Gemini and Genesis (26:54), as well as the news that the SEC has charged both Gemini and Genesis with offering and selling unregistered securities (35:12). We wrap up the show with a great discussion about Porsche’s failed NFT drop and how brands should approach entering Web 3.0 (44:38). (0:00) Jason kicks off the show (1:39) Vinny’s macroeconomic breakdown (10:18) Acquire.com - Sign up for FREE at https://try.acquire.com/twist (11:43) Bitcoin’s price action + will it hit $30k or $16K (17:35) Squarespace - Use offer code TWIST to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain at https://Squarespace.com/TWIST (18:59) Gluttony and the lack of consumer savings (26:54) DCG, Genesis and Gemini controversy (33:40) Fitbod - Get 25% off at https://fitbod.me/twist (35:12) The SEC has charged Gemini and Genesis for selling unregistered securities (44:38) Porsche’s NFT drop FOLLOW Vinny: https://twitter.com/VinnyLingham FOLLOW Sunny: https://twitter.com/sundeep FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood
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Jan 25, 2023 • 53min

ANGEL: Venrock’s Bryan Roberts on 25 years in VC, hitting wins early, avoiding bad habits | E1665

Please take our audience survey!: https://launchevents.typeform.com/to/K5RhKaEH Jason sits down with Bryan Roberts of Venrock for another episode of Angel Season 7! They discuss Bryan’s first bets (2:22) and his perception of the dot com bubble. (14:38) The two also dive into topics like creating optionality as a startup (21:24), bad habits in VC (28:49) and Theranos. (36:18) To wrap the show, Bryan and Jason discuss disagreeing with founders (39:07) and the psychology of placing bets! (44:33) (0:00) Jason kicks off the show (2:22) Bryan’s first investment: Illumina (8:52) LinkedIn Jobs - Go to http://linkedin.com/angel and post your first job for free (10:16) Bryan’s second investment: Athena Health (14:38) Bryan’s experience during the dot-com bubble (19:54) Merge - Get started by integrating up to 5 linked accounts for free today at merge.dev/twist (21:24) Creating optionality in a startup (25:30) Understanding your leaders (28:49) Bad habits in venture (34:55) Velocity Growth - Get $500 off your first growth audit or monthly package now with promo code TWIST at velocitygrowth.com/twist (36:18) Bryan’s thoughts on Theranos (39:07) Diligence and disagreements with founders (44:33) The psychology of placing bets + advice for founders FOLLOW Bryan: https://twitter.com/brobertsvc FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood
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Jan 24, 2023 • 56min

DOJ sues Google over ad practices, Ticketmaster takes the stand + LA26 founders | E1664

Please take our audience survey!: https://launchevents.typeform.com/to/K5RhKaEH Molly goes solo today to cover the DOJ joining eight states to file an anti-trust lawsuit against Google (2:04) before covering Ticketmaster taking the stand in a Senate hearing today. (15:37) Producer Rachel then joins to discuss the latest on user-friendly ticket competitors. (23:07) Then, Molly is joined by two different LA26 founders: Rhian Beutler of Govalo (32:47) and Daniel Sakhai of HeyHire! (44:44) (0:00) Molly kicks off the show (2:04) the DOJ’s lawsuit with Google (9:16) AgeTech Collaborative - Find out more and apply at https://agetechcollaborative.org/twist (10:51) Google and Microsoft’s prior lawsuits with the DOJ (15:37) Ticketmaster’s senate hearing (21:30) AgeTech Collaborative - Find out more and apply at https://agetechcollaborative.org/twist (23:06) Rachel joins Molly to discuss the latest on user-friendly ticket competitors (31:18) Nutrisense - Use code TWIST and get $30 off at nutrisense.io/twist (32:47) Rhian Beutler of Govalo joins Molly (44:44) Daniel Sakhai of HeyHire joins Molly FOLLOW Rhian: https://twitter.com/rhiankatie FOLLOW Daniel: https://www.heyhire.com/ FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood
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Jan 23, 2023 • 54min

Employee reactions to Google layoffs, Microsoft & OpenAI codify deal + NVIDIA's new feature | E1663

Join Molly and Jason as they react to TikToks posted by former Google employees who have recently been let go. They discuss why Google is letting people go despite their massive profits (8:54). They also explore Open AI and Microsoft's codified partnership (38:39) and the report from the WSJ that activist investor Elliot Management has invested billions into Salesforce (45:06). To end the show, we have another great edition of WLITF featuring NVIDIA's new AI-generated eye contact feature (49:16). (0:00) M+J kick off the show (2:35) Jason is still on the mend + vaccine talk (7:46) Embroker - Use code TWIST to get an extra 10% off insurance at https://Embroker.com/twist (8:54) The difference between Meta, Amazon and Google's layoffs + Employee reaction to getting laid off (18:52) LinkedIn Jobs - Post your first job for free at https://linkedin.com/twist (20:16) Why Google is doing layoffs + more employee reactions (37:05) Meowtel - Book a local and insured sitter on the #1 cat sitting app. Save $25 on your first booking with code TWIST25 (38:29) OpenAI codified its deal with Microsoft (45:06) Elliot Management invests billions in Salesforce (49:16) WLITF: NVIDIA's insane update This Week in Startups 90-second survey - Enter for a chance to win a $50 amazon gift card at www.thisweekinstartups.com/survey FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood
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Jan 20, 2023 • 58min

$NFLX earnings, Reed Hastings steps down, Google's 6% RIF & Ok Boomer with Mike O'Brien | E1662

Molly and Jason tackle Netflix's stellar fourth-quarter earnings and the news that Reed Hastings is stepping down as CEO. (1:55) Plus, they delve into Google's announcement to lay off 6% of its workforce (17:00), and the former MySpace founders raised a $32M Seed round for their new gaming startup PLAI. (28:55) Lastly, Producer Rachel is back with another segment of Ok Boomer with Mike O'Brien! (36:47) (0:00) M+J kick off the show (1:55) Netflix earnings + Reed Hastings steps down as CEO (9:29) Crowdbotics - Get a free scoping session for your next big app idea at crowdbotics.com/twist (9:37) Netflix's future (17:00) Google to layoff 6% of their staff (23:37) Mixpanel - Apply for $50K in credits at https://mixpanel.com/startups (20:50) Will Apple do a RIF? (28:55) Former MySpace founders raise $32M for their new startup PLAI (33:53) This Week in Startups 90-second survey - Enter for a chance to win a $50 amazon gift card at www.thisweekinstartups.com/survey (35:19) House of Macadamias - Get 20% off at https://houseofmacadamias.com/twist by using code TWIST20 (36:47) Ok Boomer with Mike O'Brien Bloomberg Article: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2023-01-20/reed-hastings-retires-as-netflix-ceo-with-a-long-list-of-wins FOLLOW Mike: https://twitter.com/mikeobrienn FOLLOW Rachel: https://twitter.com/_rachelbraun FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood
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Jan 19, 2023 • 1h 1min

Quiet hiring, Semafor’s $10M SBF buyback + M3GAN and The Last of Us with Lon Harris | E1661

Molly and Jason kick off the show by discussing the concept of 'quiet hiring' (1:53) and the SEC's proposed rules making it easier for LPs to sue VCs (9:37). They also cover Semafor's buyback of Sam Bankman-Fried's $10M investment (20:50). And Lon Harris is back to discuss the new box office hit M3GAN (31:00) and the premiere of The Last of Us (45:45).  (0:00) Molly kicks off the show (1:53) Jargon Watch: What is “quiet hiring”? (8:29) Vanta - Get $1000 off your SOC 2 at https://vanta.com/twist (9:37) SEC proposes new rules making it easier for LPs to sue VCs (19:21) Supergut - Get 30% off with code TWIST at https://supergut.com (20:50) Semafor to buy back SBF’s $10M investment (29:44) Formulate - Get 25% off at formulate.co/twist (31:00) Blumhouse and Atomic Monster’s potential merger + M3GAN’s marketing campaign (45:45) The Last of Us Premiere + more on video game adaptations FOLLOW Lon: https://linktr.ee/lons FOLLOW Jason: https://linktr.ee/calacanis FOLLOW Molly: https://twitter.com/mollywood

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